Widzenie [English translation]

I see a normal land -

birches, a church1, river;

by river an alder grove,

from God to man gifted.

In the wind bell chime

born of this clay’s bulk

and from all sides

come the normal folk.

They say what they said-

nobody has a problem.

they think what they thought-

nobody thinks for them.

And I see one of the cities

in its ant-like structure:

in open windows glints

and doors open in a wall.

Past doors - a room, table,

on the walls old masters’ art,

at the table - as if I was able

to tell it’s a normal man.

He says, what he said,

he’s not afraid at all.

He thinks, what he thought

and there’s nothing wrong.

And I see way beyond

past the circle of horizon,

without any wonder it is so,

as it should be at inception.

So one of them grabs me hard

and looks in the eyes mocking:

‘Wake up already, tard!’

And he gives me a shot.

Then, the normal thing,

he’ll tie me to the bed.

I’d like to fall asleep,

but to the dream I can’t catch up

1. in original Kaczmarski used the word for Orthodox Christian temple, English lacks the distinction

• Artist:Jacek Kaczmarski